News & Events

SAAOC MINISTERS MEETING 2018

San Damiano Spirituality Centre, Singapore – August 6-9, 2018

We, the ministers from Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and West Papua gathered with the General Definitor for Asia, General Animator for Evangelisation/ President of Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue, President of the East Asia Conference (EAC), Secretary for the Franciscan Conferences of Asia-Oceania (FCAO), and Conference Secretary for Missions and Evangelisation thank the Lord for gathering us together in this beautiful retreat house to deepen bonds of fraternal solidarity, to analyse the changing realities in Asia and Oceania, and to creatively explore new avenues for collaboration.

Day 1

During this meeting we received messages from the General Minister and the General Definitor, presented by Br. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM followed by a comprehensive and insightful report on the Plenary Council of the Order (PCO) by the SAAOC delegates, to the meeting: Br. Anthoni Selvaraj, OFM and Br. Johnson MV, OFM.

The ministers were also able to hear a presentation and consultation from Br. Russel Murray, OFM, on behalf of the General Secretariat for Missions and Evangelisation, and the Commission for Dialogue.

Afterwards, the ministers gained some beautiful insights from a deeply honest sharing and reflection on interior poverty by an Anglican priest, Rev. Timothy Khoo, a life/career coach and counsellor, who runs the Desert Odyssey programme for people living with brokenness, and who has served for many years in the prisons ministry.

These insights were deepened through an exposure visit to Healthserve, a secular NGO with Christian values, which provides medical, advocacy and counselling services to migrant workers, followed by dinner hosted by Dr. Goh Wei Leong, a Presbyterian Elder, Healthserve founder and Singaporean of the Year, who also took us on a night walk through part of the Geylang red-light district.

Day 2

The ministers spent the first half of the morning sharing on the light and shadow areas, questions, needs, and opportunities in the realities in their entities and within the Conference.

The ministers then discussed the feasibility of the proposed Franciscan Institute of Asia, in view of the reality that there is no dedicated English language programme anywhere in the world for the training of Franciscan Formators, and very few options for English language courses in Franciscan Spirituality.

In the afternoon, the ministers went for an exposure visit to Beyond Social Services, an NGO which provides guidance, care and resources that enable young people, families and communities to break out of the poverty cycle, keep their young people in school and out of trouble. The reflection by Executive Director, Mr. Gerard Ee, led the ministers to consider more deeply the greater meaning of respect for the dignity of the other, means of empowering and enabling communities, and on how we are called as Franciscans to move from mere provision of service to genuine care.

Everyone had a sumptuous dinner at Crossings Café, a private social enterprise based at the Catholic Centre, and which employs the disadvantaged and differently-abled.

Day 3

During the third day, the ministers approved the plans for the FCAO Ministers Meeting to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. The ministers approved the budget for the meeting and agreed to pitch in some help both from the Conference and from each entities. Furthermore, the ministers undertook to send delegates to the Asian Young Friars Gathering and to support Asian Mission Congress to be held in Manila on February 2019.

The ministers also agreed on best practises for communication, received a report on SAAOC finances, and discussed the agenda for the next FCAO and SAAOC meetings.

The meeting concluded with an evening Eucharistic celebration with the Initial Formation community at Greccio Friary, followed by a relaxed dinner and recreation led by the friars in Initial Formation on a lovely rooftop garden in the city.

Conclusion

As we end this gathering, we thank Br. Michael Perry, OFM, Minister General, for his message. We also thank Br. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM, the Definitor General for FCAO, for his fraternal presence and contribution to our gathering. Finally, we feel very grateful to Br. John Wong, OFM, the Custos and all the members of the Custody of St. Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) for their hospitality, and to Br. Phillip Miscamble, OFM, and the Province of the Holy Spirit (Australia-Aotearoa New Zealand) for their generosity that made possible our gathering here in Singapore.